Monday, May 21, 2012
Skokie Patch's newest column talks about one woman's journey at the Skokie Festival of Cultures on Sunday, May 20.
I went to the Skokie Festival with some key missions in my mind. To see and be seen, to talk and chortle and to write a detailed report per section 4.6.a on the Kazakhstan School of Journalistic Standards. But given all my recent purchases, vet care for the dogs and how much Uncle Sam got to filch from my bank account this year, my mission was also not to spend anything, no dineros, pesos or rupees, and leave the fattened up wallet at home. But I should have known that something was going to be set off karma wise when I came to some drawings of lemons on the sidewalk and the word “lemonade” just blocks from the festival’s back entrance. I almost thought I was having a mirage because I hadn’t seen a lemonade stand since the Nixon …
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Illinois lawmakers are again looking to expand gambling options in Illinois.
Illinois lawmakers are considering plans to add more casinos as the state continues to grapple with budget woes. The latest proposals would place casinos in Danville, Rockford and Waukegan. Another proposal would allow for slot machines to be operated at race tracks like Arlington Park, the Alton Daily News reported. The bills are sponsored by Terry Link (D-Waukegan) in the Senate and Lou Lang (D-Skokie) in the House. Gov. Pat Quinn has called the legislation to, once again, expand gambling in Illinois "a distraction." Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been pushing for a Chicago casino. A Chicago casino is something that officials in the city long have sought. As far back at 1993, Mayor Daley proposed an $800 …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The decision of whether to open gifts at a kid's birthday party isn't always easy.
Birthday parties mean birthday presents which brings up the question, “Do you open the gifts at the party or not?” When I ask people this question I get some adamant "Yes" and "No" answers, but quite a few Moms I talk to, especially new Moms, aren’t quite sure what to do. My vague answer is, “It depends.” There are quite a few things you need to consider regarding your child’s birthday party and the answer may not be the same every year. First and foremost you need to do what is right for your child. Does he or she want to open gifts or just keep playing with friends? You also need to consider what you can handle as the party hostess. Sometimes it is hard to gauge how much time it will take. But, don’t let anyone tell you how it should …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
We're currently seeking someone to write about anything local.
There's a lot of different things to talk about around Skokie. With all of the cultures and major establishments in town, someone could talk about anything ranging from a Bill Clinton sighting to being delayed on the Skokie Swift. We're currently seeking a blogger to write about anything local. From downtown Skokie to upcoming events at the park, this is a great chance to have your voice heard. There are no requirements on how many items you need to post or restrictions on what you can write about. Patch is looking for someone thoughtful and prolific on these topics This isn't a paid position, but people will read your work and your blog will be featured on Skokie Patch's homepage. There's also a chance that your blog will get picked up by…
THEATER REVIEW. This show about writing a show could have been more tightly edited, but at times seems so spontaneous it creates an in-the-moment feel. It's playing in Skokie at Northlight Theatre.
THEATER REVIEW When all the members of an ensemble cast pull their own weight and play off their characters' personality differences, they create a pleasure for the audience to watch. The four actors in Northlight Theatre's [title of show] nailed it on that count. Yes, [title of show] is the title of the show. It's a bit confusing until you learn the characters are writing a show to enter into a theater festival, and they don't have a ready answer for the part of the entry form that says [title of show]. So-- in this show about writing a show, Matthew Krowle lets his demons and his creative juices all hang out as he plays Hunter, the main scribe, and that's balanced nicely by the way Stephen Schellhardt plays Jeff, his composer-…
Sunday, May 13, 2012
President Barack Obama said that he supported gay marriage this week, while Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Gay marriage came to the forefront of the 2012 presidential campaign this week. President Barack Obama said on ABC's Good Morning America that he personally supported gay marriage. "You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently," Obama said in the interview with ABC. Obama's support for gay marriage came one day after North Carolina passed an amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, the Huffington Post Reported. Republican …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
More than 90 people have commented on this controversial topic. What do you think; should Illinois ban pit bulls?
Thursday, May 10, 2012
A Mother's Day reminder of the joys of motherhood
Mother's Day is this Sunday, just in case you were too busy being a Mother to notice. It got me thinking about how sometimes I'm so busy, tired, and stressed that I don't stop to appreciate why being a Mom is worth it. Some days it's easier to focus on the negatives and I ask myself why did I go through all of the pain, nausea, sleepless nights, insecurity, and the extra 10 pounds that won’t go away? So, I wrote a post on Why Being a Mom is Worth It that I wanted to share. But more importantly, I'd love to hear from you. Why Do You Love Being a Mom? Please comment below and let's create a great list of why Motherhood is amazing. The reminder is a nice gift to ourselves. I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. I hope your day is …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
After two dogs were attacked in two separate incidents by two different pit bulls, the Skokie Health Department is looking to change their local pet ordinance. We want to know what you think: Should Illinois ban this breed?
A new Skokie ordinance stemming from two separate attacks involving pit bulls may soon require anyone with "vicious animals" to have them spayed or neutered. Owners may also be required to train there dog through special classes. What breeds fall under that category have yet to be determined. The Skokie Review reports: "The modified ordinance is likely to provide the village with authority to order that vicious dogs be spayed or neutered. There could be steeper fines and greater clarification about the differences between a “vicious dog” and a “dangerous dog,” officials say." Over the last several years, only 14 percent of vicious animal attacks in Skokie involved pit bulls, the Review noted. Authorities and village officials believe in …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Skokie is a melting pot of different cultures and religions. We want to share what you have to say.
Skokie Patch is seeking a blogger to write about religion. One of the things that makes Skokie great are all the different faiths that call our village home. Skokie Patch is looking for someone to blog about religion, culture and issues of faith. You could write about a pending religious celebration, or talk about an upcoming Hasidic band that practices in Skokie (for the record, there is one, and they practice at the synagogue near Dempster and McCormick). The posts can even be personal, or bits of sermons from the area. You get to choose. There are no requirements on how many items you need to post or restrictions on what you can write about. Patch is looking for someone thoughtful and prolific on these topics This isn't a paid position…
bvklaw
11:20 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Funny! And kudos to the planners of Skokie's fun Festival of Cultures. Nicely done! more ›